Signing Day 2013: SEC recruiting analysis

Grayson High School football player Robert Nkemdiche, (right) the nation's top recruit, is congratulated by his brother Denzel during Nkemdiche's announcement to play college football for Ole Miss.

THREE WINNERS

Ole Miss: The Rebels are the recruiting story of the year after coach Hugh Freeze dazzled. Ole Miss landed three of the top 14 players in the Rivals.com Top 100, including the No. 1 player, defensive end Robert Nkemdiche (right) of Loganville, Ga. The Rebels moved up seven spots to fifth in ESPN’s team rankings.

Auburn: For having only a couple months to build a class, new coach Gus Malzahn did a marvelous job. The Tigers signed two five-star defensive linemen from Georgia, Carl Lawson and Montravious Adams, and finished with a top 10 class.

Vanderbilt: James Franklin continues to hit recruiting heights never before seen at Vandy. The Commodores finished with a class ranked in the nation’s top 25, including seven players from Georgia. Among them: four-star quarterback Johnathon McCrary.

THREE LOSERS

Georgia: There were four five-star players from Georgia in the Rivals 100, and none signed with the Bulldogs. UGa signed a large class of 32 players but still finished out of the top 10 in Rivals’ team rankings. All but one of the schools ahead of UGa signed fewer players.

Tennessee: New coach Butch Jones didn’t have the early impact Malzahn did. The Volunteers landed few elite prospects with a roster that offers early playing time almost everywhere. Tennessee’s class is on par or below Vanderbilt’s, never a good thing in Knoxville.

Missouri: Joining the SEC didn’t pay dividends for the Tigers. Missouri has the worst class in the conference, ranked 48th in the nation by Rivals. Of its 20 signees, only one is considered a four-star prospect by Rivals.

FIVE IMPACT PLAYERS

DE Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss, 6-5, 260, Loganville (Ga.): The nation’s top overall prospect is the jewel of Ole Miss’ stellar class.

CB Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida, 5-11, 185, Tampa Wharton: The Gators have a strong rotation coming back at corner, but Hargreaves should be a factor next season. Rivals lists him as the nation’s No. 2 overall recruit.

DE Carl Lawson, Auburn, 6-2, 253 pounds, Alpharetta (Ga.): Lawson is the second-best player in the nation, according to ESPN. He recorded 26 sacks as a senior.